Apple on Monday kicked-off its 2009 Worldwide Developers Conference by refreshing its MacBook Pro line of professional desktops with faster processors, cheaper prices, better displays, and built-in batteries on the 15-inch models.

New 15-inch MacBook Pros

The 15-inch MacBook Pro now features a seven hour built-in battery, an SD card slot, an improved LED-backlit display with 60 percent greater color gamut and 4GB of RAM across the line at an entry price $300 less than before.

It's available in three models: a 2.53 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo system with a 250GB hard drive and NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics for a new entry price of $1,699; a 2.66 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo system with a 320GB hard drive, and NVIDIA GeForce 9400M and 9600M GT graphics for $1,999; and a 2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo system with a 500GB hard drive, and NVIDIA GeForce 9400M and 9600M GT graphics for $2,299.

"Across the line, all of our new MacBook Pro models now include Apple's innovative built-in battery for up to seven hours of battery life, while staying just as thin and light as before," said Philip Schiller, Apple's senior vice president of Worldwide Product Marketing.

Apple also updated the 17-inch MacBook Pro, which includes an eight hour built-in battery, an ExpressCard slot, a LED-backlit display, 4GB of RAM and NVIDIA GeForce 9400M and 9600M GT graphics, has been updated to include a faster 2.8 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and a larger 500GB hard drive for $2,499, which is $300 less than before.

Every Mac notebook achieves EPEAT Gold status and meets Energy Star 5.0 requirements, setting a new standard for environmentally friendly notebook design. Each unibody enclosure is made of highly recyclable aluminum and comes standard with energy efficient LED-backlit displays that are mercury-free and made with arsenic-free glass.

All MacBook Pros also contain no brominated flame retardants and use internal cables and components that are PVC-free. The built-in battery design results in less waste and depleted batteries can be replaced for $129 or $179, which includes installation and disposal of your old battery in an environmentally responsible manner.

Availability and upgrading to Snow Leopard

The new 15-inch and 17-inch MacBook Pros are available immediately through the Apple Store, Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers.

Mac OS X Snow Leopard will be shipping in September 2009, and any new Mac system purchased without Snow Leopard from Apple or an Apple Authorized Reseller between June 8, 2009 and the end of the program on December 26, 2009, is eligible for the Mac OS X Snow Leopard Up-To-Date upgrade package available for a product plus shipping and handling fee of $9.95 (US). Users must request their Up-To-Date upgrade within 90 days of purchase or by December 26, 2009, or whichever comes first.

Apple on Monday kicked-off its 2009 Worldwide Developers Conference by refreshing its MacBook Pro line of professional desktops with faster processors, cheaper prices, better displays, and built-in batteries on the 15-inch models.

The new 15-inch models range from 2.53GHz to 2.8GHz (or 3.06GHz when built to order) and now includes a built-in battery supporting up to 1,000 recharges and an SD Card Slot as opposed to an ExpressCard slot, which remains in the 17-inch model. The 15-inch MacBook Pro also includes a new display with a 60% color gamut increase.

Apple also updated the 17-inch MacBook Pro with a 2.8GHz processor and 500GB hard drive. As was predicted a couple of months ago, prices have also been cut between $200 and $300 across the product line. Build-to-order options on each model include a 256GB SSD drive. A breakdown of the new models is as follows:

So in reality, they didn't make the MacBook Pros cheaper...but they now make a 15" MacBook (non-Pro).

Apple's tech specs web page for MBP hasn't been updated yet so I can't check, but did they at least add one or two more USB or FW ports to make up for the loss of the ExpressCard slot? An SD slot is useless to me. My SD cards have USB connectors built in and most SDLRs still use CompactFlash cards. So now instead of a nice little Express card adaptor I need a USB adaptor?

And before anyone accuses me of only seeing negatives to whine about, the new offerings are good. But surely it's long past time for Apple to expand it's product offerings! When they had less market share, they needed to trim the lines to streamline manufacturing and stock overhead. But they have since doubled their market share. Doesn't that give them enough demand to justify offering greater variety in their lineup? Such as a complete lineup of MacBook and MacBook Pros, like they used to have? Let someone chose between a 15" laptop with integrated graphics and an SD slot (the consumer MB) and a 15" with dedicated graphics and ExpressCard (the MBP). Apple's 15" laptop is no longer a "Pro" laptop.

Hard to tell if you're being sarcastic, but there's no question blu-ray has been successful enough to be offered at least as an option.

There is a difference between having a blu-ray drive and being able to play blu-ray movies. Until Apple has a blu-ray movie playing application (and all the licensing to go with it), having a blu-ray drive would be pointless for most people. I think a relatively small % of people want blu-ray for writing data discs. They want to play movies.

Maybe with Snow Leopard Apple will finally include the ability to play blu-ray movies. Until they have that, don't expect to see a blu-ray drive in any Mac.

How about adding a damn BLU-RAY drive for the 15" & 17" models? hell it doesn't have to burn blu-ray, just read them, people could pay more for the blu-ray superdrive as an option.

I bet if Apple offered a blu-ray drive it would be pretty damn expensive. It would have to be an ultra-thin slot loading drive. Those aren't cheap by any means. You better want to watch movies on your laptop pretty bad! Other than watching movies, blu-ray is practically useless. If they also had a blu-ray burner in the same drive it may be useful for people using video/DVD editing apps.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wiggin

There is a difference between having a blu-ray drive and being able to play blu-ray movies. Until Apple has a blu-ray movie playing application (and all the licensing to go with it), having a blu-ray drive would be pointless for most people. I think a relatively small % of people want blu-ray for writing data discs. They want to play movies.

Maybe with Snow Leopard Apple will finally include the ability to play blu-ray movies. Until they have that, don't expect to see a blu-ray drive in any Mac.

Let someone chose between a 15" laptop with integrated graphics and an SD slot (the consumer MB) and a 15" with dedicated graphics and ExpressCard (the MBP). Apple's 15" laptop is no longer a "Pro" laptop.

You should read the specs more carefully before whining.

They still HAVE a 15 with dedicated graphics that you can choose, it's only integrated on the entry level 15. You're saying that taking off EC slot demotes it from "Pro". I doubt there would be many who would agree with that assessment.

There is a difference between having a blu-ray drive and being able to play blu-ray movies. Until Apple has a blu-ray movie playing application (and all the licensing to go with it), having a blu-ray drive would be pointless for most people.

Apple needs to offer both, it's pretty ridiculous to not be able to offer the APP to play them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by macxpress

I bet if Apple offered a blu-ray drive it would be pretty damn expensive.

So make it BTO and charge whatever needs to be charged.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TenoBell

That's party line, but doesn't mean much when BD is still a fraction of DVD and DVD sales are plunging.

Adoption of new formats takes time, and is BD catching on any slower than DVD did? If DVD adoption was even slower, do you consider that format to be a failure?

Quote:

Originally Posted by TenoBell

Only if the inclusion of BD would help increase sales of Apple computers, there is no evidence this would be the case.

There's certainly room for debate how much BD would help sales, but you seriously think it wouldn't help at all?

I predicted they would have to price cut to make room for the tablet. Where are all the fanbitz who said apple wouldn't cheapen. LOL. Just rubbing. It's great for all consumers. Nit sure his much video, motion you can do but FireWire is a must for pro audio.

Godspeed, blessings.

Quote:

Originally Posted by minderbinder

Apple needs to offer both, it's pretty ridiculous to not be able to offer the APP to play them.

So make it BTO and charge whatever needs to be charged.

Adoption of new formats takes time, and is BD catching on any slower than DVD did? If DVD adoption was even slower, do you consider that format to be a failure?

There's certainly room for debate how much BD would help sales, but you seriously think it wouldn't help at all?

Apple needs to offer both, it's pretty ridiculous to not be able to offer the APP to play them.

Well it all comes down to licensing. Perhaps Apple doesn't want to pay for a license when they already offer an HD solution. And I'm sure the fact that Apple sells a thing called AppleTV with the iTunes Movie store has nothing to do with the lack of blu-ray.

You don't see any 3rd party developers making an OS X player either do you?

Quote:

So make it BTO and charge whatever needs to be charged.

$500-$700 option? I doubt many will take it up! Not enough to make up for the cost of having it.

There is a difference between having a blu-ray drive and being able to play blu-ray movies. Until Apple has a blu-ray movie playing application (and all the licensing to go with it), having a blu-ray drive would be pointless for most people. I think a relatively small % of people want blu-ray for writing data discs. They want to play movies.

Maybe with Snow Leopard Apple will finally include the ability to play blu-ray movies. Until they have that, don't expect to see a blu-ray drive in any Mac.

your right, Apple needs to have an application which can play back the movies, and have hardware able to playback HDCP drm material. but... all the tech is available.

All we are waiting for is Apple to do it. as for the "licensing" being a holdup for Apple... That is just PR excuses. the reality is they don't want to divert any purchases from their itunes movie store. either in rental or purchase form.

A company like apple can easily handle licensing blu-ray technology if they wanted to. Apple clearly doesn't want blu-ray in its products. Despite the fact that blu-ray is supporting itunes with its Digital Copy program. BS

Well it all comes down to licensing. Perhaps Apple doesn't want to pay for a license when they already offer an HD solution. And I'm sure the fact that Apple sells a thing called AppleTV with the iTunes Movie store has nothing to do with the lack of blu-ray.

$500-$700 option? I doubt many will take it up! Not enough to make up for the cost of having it.

BTO shouldn't be that much. there are "superdrives" which can playback BD content, burn CD/DVD. If people want to burn BD content let them pay for the more expensive drive. but to get a BD reading superdrive... that isnt much more of a cost than say $25 over a regular superdrive for macs.

BTO shouldn't be that much. there are "superdrives" which can playback BD content, burn CD/DVD. If people want to burn BD content let them pay for the more expensive drive. but to get a BD reading superdrive... that isnt much more of a cost than say $25 over a regular superdrive for macs.

Well it all comes down to licensing. Perhaps Apple doesn't want to pay for a license when they already offer an HD solution. And I'm sure the fact that Apple sells a thing called AppleTV with the iTunes Movie store has nothing to do with the lack of blu-ray.

There's no question that Apple has reasons not to do it, but that doesn't make it acceptable to the consumers who want it. And with the licensing fees, just pass those along with the cost of the drive (or charge for the app), it's not rocket science.

Quote:

Originally Posted by macxpress

$500-$700 option? I doubt many will take it up! Not enough to make up for the cost of having it.

That remains to be seen. Apple certainly has offered (and I assume, sold) extremely expensive options in the past.

I predicted they would have to price cut to make room for the tablet. Where are all the fanbitz who said apple wouldn't cheapen. LOL. Just rubbing. It's great for all consumers. Nit sure his much video, motion you can do but FireWire is a must for pro audio.

So in reality, they didn't make the MacBook Pros cheaper...but they now make a 15" MacBook (non-Pro).

+ 1

I can see that a lot of workflows don't use a card slot, but then there some that do and flexibility is the key, now we are down to one FW input and no express slot this makes the 15" not much use to any video workflow that that isn't memory card based.

The ability to plug in a video deck + external storage via fw or esata(via card slot) is still a regular need.

Having just one model (17") that gives the flexibility of working in the various setups you have to deal with seems limited. no point having a powerhouse laptop if your struggling to get stuff in and out of it.

There's no question that Apple has reasons not to do it, but that doesn't make it acceptable to the consumers who want it. And with the licensing fees, just pass those along with the cost of the drive (or charge for the app), it's not rocket science.

That remains to be seen. Apple certainly has offered (and I assume, sold) extremely expensive options in the past.

Customers want lots of things. Its impossible for Apple to fill every single niche people think they need.

Yes, the SSD option on the MacBook Air comes to mind. I actually wonder how many chose that option?

Adoption of new formats takes time, and is BD catching on any slower than DVD did? If DVD adoption was even slower, do you consider that format to be a failure?

No the two circumstances are entirely different. Its only BD supporters who are attempting to make them the same. When DVD was first introduced it was a revolutionary new product and had no real competition. BD is not revolutionary and has a lot of competition.

Quote:

There's certainly room for debate how much BD would help sales, but you seriously think it wouldn't help at all?

BD may help Apple sell a few hundred more computers, but I don't believe it would help sell hundreds of thousands.

The number of media services that compete directly against iTunes is growing every year. i don't think Apple feels especially threatened by Blu-ray. I do agree Apple isn't very interesting in licensing or adopting Blu-ray DRM into OS X.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mitchelljd

All we are waiting for is Apple to do it. as for the "licensing" being a holdup for Apple... That is just PR excuses. the reality is they don't want to divert any purchases from their itunes movie store. either in rental or purchase form.